City made it a third game unbeaten at home after a goalless draw against Exeter City on Saturday.
Head coach Michael Skubala named an unchanged side to the one that swept Bristol Rovers aside last time out. Zane Okoro returned to the substitutes bench in place of Joe Gardner who was away on international duty.
Referee Declan Bourne was kept busy and dished out the first caution of the game when Ed Turns pulled down City winger Reeco Hackett in the fourth minute as Skubala's side started strong.
A wicked Tom Bayliss corner from the left, saw club captain Paudie O'Connor rise highest, but his header was just over the bar, rippling the top of the net.
A long throw from the visitors allowed goalkeeper George Wickens to catch before launching a ball over half way to find striker James Collins. The City forward did well to take the ball in his stride before his effort was blocked wide for a corner.
Exeter had their first opportunity on the half hour mark, as Demetri Mitchell found space inside the penalty area. His low ball aiming for striker Josh Magennis was over hit across the face of goal and City were able to clear.
Grecians' goalkeeper Joe Whitworth was cautioned with just over ten minutes to play for some time wasting on a goal kick.
Captain Josh Magennis became the third player to be shown the yellow card by Bourne for dissent 36 minutes as the game struggled to flow.
City came close to taking the lead on the stroke of half-time as a well-measured cross from Reeco Hackett found the head of Tom Bayliss, but his effort came off the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Whitworth beaten.
Hackett was the first player in red to be shown a card on 50 minutes, after a tackle in midfield on MacDonald.
A teasing Sean Roughan cross from the left was just too far in front of Collins and Makama as City look to take the initiative.
Hat-trick hero last time out, Jovon Makama was first to have a shot on target just before the hour mark. His half volley from the edge of the penalty area was well parried by Whitworth and cleared.
The Grecians looked to reply themselves with their first effort, as Caleb Watts dragged a volley wide of George Wickens' post.
Substitute Erik Ring looked to make an instant impact as his touch and volley from outside the box, kept Whitworth alert. Ring then combined with Hackett before the latter's shot was deflected for a corner on 74 minutes.
Collins was the fifth to be cautioned for a stray arm on visiting defender Hartridge. Hackett would have another opportunity to strike, with his effort high and wide at the near post with less than ten minutes to play.
Ring and Hackett would combine once more, but on 83 minutes it would be Ring to see his strike deflect wide and out for a corner, despite the efforts from Whitworth. From the resulting set-piece, Sam Clucas' looping header ended up on the roof of the net.
Alex Hartridge was next to be shown the yellow card for bringing down Clucas on the edge of the box with two minutes to play. Sean Roughan's attempt from the free-kick was comfortable for Whitworth.
The visitors thought they had won the game in added time as Jack Millan found the back of the net, but referee Bourne gave a free-kick for a handball. From his protests, manager Gary Caldwell was sent off.
Imps: Wickens, Darikwa, O'Connor, Hamer, Roughan, Jefferies (Ring 65'), Hackett, Bayliss (Clucas 76'), McGrandles, Makama, Collins
Unused subs: Jeacock, Jackson, Hamilton, House, Okoro
Grecians: Whitworth, McMillan, Purrington, Hartridge, Mitchell (Jones 76'), Francis, Watts (Cox 65'), Turns, Trevitt, MacDonald, Magennis
Unused subs: Aitchison, Cole, Harper, McDonald, Yogane
Attendance: 8,971 (230)
Referee: Declan Bourne
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